Veteran solicitor allegedly breached profession's code of conduct

SUSPENDED: Rodger McCracken has been referred to the tribunal by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), which handles complaints about members of the legal profession.

A WELL-KNOWN local solicitor has been referred to the Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) for alleged breaches of the profession's code of conduct.

Rodger McCracken, a former senior partner at what was then Wilkin Chapman in Grimsby, has been referred to the tribunal by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), which handles complaints about members of the legal profession.

He has been suspended from his position as associate principal at the Grimsby Institute whilst the allegations are investigated.

The SRA said that it could not reveal any details of the allegations.

The institute would only confirm that they relate to matters before he took up employment with the establishment on October 1, 2008.

Mr McCracken spent 41 years at Wilkin Chapman before retiring in March last year to take up the position of director of legal services at the Grimsby Institute.

Prior to working for the institute, Mr McCracken sat on the institute's governing body between 1992 and 2008, serving as chair from 1998 to 2005.

It was in that capacity that he was involved in the appointment of Daniel Khan as principal in 2000.

Since his retirement, Wilkin Chapman has since become Wilkin Chapman Grange, following a merger with fellow town firm Grange Wintringham.

Philip Day, a senior partner at Wilkin Chapman Grange, said: "Rodger McCracken retired from the firm of Wilkin Chapman on March 31, 2009, after over 40 years service, the vast majority as a partner.

"We understand that the Solicitors Regulation Authority have referred to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal alleged breaches of the Solicitors Code of Conduct by him.

"As proceedings are pending before the Tribunal at the present time, it is inappropriate for us to make any further comment until those proceedings have been concluded."

A Grimsby Institute spokesman said: "The Solicitors Regulatory Authority had alerted the Grimsby Institute to its investigation about matters that date from a time before the Institute's Corporation employed Rodger McCracken.

"Governors are investigating as a result, and Mr McCracken is suspended."

The SRA spokeswoman said it could be several months before a hearing date is set.

If found to have breached the code of conduct, Mr McCracken, who does not currently hold a practising certificate, could be struck off or fined up to £5,000.